Schools in L-A from the elementary level to high school, as well as many programs offering educational opportunities for adults, are gearing up for the 2010-2011 year.

They have a lot to offer from the introduction of new programs, optimization of older resources and improvements including a new school in Lewiston.

Leon Levesque, Lewiston’s superintendent of schools, said, “We are very pleased with the introduction of pre-kindergarten classrooms in Lewiston.”

He also looks with optimism on the city’s applications to the State for new elementary school construction funding that’s needed to solve the issues of crowding and building age. Martel School and Longley School are the ones which need up-dating.

The city’s new school is Raymond A. Geiger Elementary School on College Street, which replaces Pettingill School. It completed its first full year in 2009-2010.

Levesque also said he is pleased with the opening of a new program called LHS (Lewiston High School) Academy, which is an off-site option for students who need a somewhat different high school program. The coming year will mark the first full year for LHS Academy, he said.

Several new principals will be in those positions throughout the Lewiston schools, he said. They are Althea Walter at Farwell Elementary School, Linda St. Andre at Longley Elementary School, and Tom Hood at McMahon Elementary School.

Tom Morrill, Auburn’s superintendent of schools, “We’re getting very creative with current technologies to become more efficient and effective.” He listed a number of computer-based options the Auburn School Department is now utilizing.

“More efficient bus routes are saving fuel, reducing fleet size and reducing operating costs by use of the Versatran software,” Morrell said. “School Dude is scheduling work repairs. Nutrikids allows parents the option of paying for their children’s lunch online. Power School serves as our student information system, providing parents with current student performance data and the state with essential student and staffing information. Infinite Campus and ADS serve our financial data systems needs.”

He also said, “The Auburn School Department is now expanding its multiple pathways to graduation with a virtual project-based high school program… the first in the state.”

Morrell said about 120 Edward Little High School juniors and seniors will soon take the lead role in delivering EL’s Kick-Off Mentor Program for freshmen. At the start of a school year, they plan and facilitate freshman orientation as well as regular monthly meetings with ninth graders with whom they are paired. As a result, freshmen report more involvement and connection with the school; greater engagement in after-school, co-curricular and athletic activities; and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the secondary program.

In Auburn schools, 1,355 students engaged in co-curricular after-school activities last year. There were 779 middle and high school students participating in athletics.

In addition to the L-A public school systems, the Twin Cities and surrounding communities have many top quality educations institutions. There is St. Dominic’s Regional High School in Auburn, as well as the elementary and middle school levels of the area’s excellent Catholic school systems.

Bates College in Lewiston is nationally recognized for excellence. It’s a coeducational, nonsectarian, residential college of the liberal arts and sciences.

Lewiston also has the L-A College campus of the University of Southern Maine.

L-A College is offering a new and innovative course in secondary teacher certification this fall. Jim Bradley, LAC administrative support, said, “Anyone who is considering the teaching profession, regardless of whether or not they have a bachelor’s degree, should consider taking this course so that they can get first-hand experience of what it is like to be a teacher in pubic schools.”

Central Maine Community College is serving increasing numbers of students every year.

Located on the shores of Lake Auburn, Central Maine Community College has a vibrant campus community that is committed to preparing students for challenging careers. CMCC offers more than 25 program areas leading to technical, business, and health careers, as well as liberal studies and general studies transfer options, and all this with the lowest tuition rates in Maine.

Kaplan University in downtown Lewiston, formerly Andover College, offers a wide range of courses, and there are opportunities to study for careers in nursing at Central Maine Medical Center.

Information about education in nursing and health care fields also can be obtained from the Twin Cities’ hospitals.

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